‘Governments failed to stop crises’

INTERNATIONAL governments have collectively failed to act to prevent the famine declared yesterday in two regions of Somalia, according to the head of Oxfam Ireland.

The United Nations (UN) has now declared a famine in two parts of southern Somalia as a result of the drought which has hit the Horn of Africa and which is affecting more than 10 million people.

The areas in question are southern Bakool and Lower Shabelle, which are largely controlled by Al Shabaab, Islamist insurgents believed to be linked to al-Qaeda.